I do this a lot. If you want to use just the browser and server abilities without introducing the complexities of PDF/XML/XSLT and such, it is not too hard. I have done PDF, Standard Text and HTML to the browser and I have printed directly to a printer from the server using PHP.
First, is the site a Corporate intranet where the server knows about all of the shared printers connected to the network? Or, is the site accessed over the internet? If it's a Corporate intranet then you can create reports and submit them to the appropriate spooler. On Unix this is easy. I'm not sure about Windows. You can gather a list of available printers and create a little form that allows the user to select which printer to send the report to. If the site is over the internet then create the report in a separate window that is divided into two frames. The top frame will consist of close and print buttons. The second will contain the report and a JavaScript function that performs the printing. The print button in the top frame, when pushed, will execute the print function in the bottom frame. The print function sets focus on the report and then executes this.print(). The print dialogue box will automatically pop up and the user can select their own printer along with number of copies, etc. If you use HTML you can even set page breaks (in IE5 anyway). Have fun, Dean -----Original Message----- From: Dan Koken [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 5:00 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [PHP] Printing Reports As a Newbe to PHP, I need to print reports. I'd like to stay away from PDF but will use it if necessary. In general, what seems to be the best way to print reports?????? It would be nice when they ask for a report it would brint in the report window that allows them to select the printer, number of copies, print quality etc. Thanks for your help... Dan. -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To contact the list administrators, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To contact the list administrators, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
